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3.5★s for me. A lovely, heart warming shaggy dog story.

Of course I could not resist this book with the face of “Arthur�� on the cover. As the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words, and Arthur’s face does that, plus some.

I’m a sucker for books about animals, and this one didn’t fail to delight.

Mikael Lindnord is an elite athlete who takes part in an endurance sport called “Adventure Racing��. Athletes from around the world compete against each other in teams of four. The terrain is tough �� mountains, jungles, rapids. Temperatures range from freezing cold to a humid 40 degrees Celsius throughout the course of a race, which typically lasts for a week.

Competitors run, hike, cycle & kayak across this challenging vista. Time is of a premium, and sleep kept to a minimum. Meals are often eaten on the run. The race is both physically & psychologically brutal. Injuries abound, from frostbitten toes, altitude sickness, broken limbs to hallucinations from the gruelling regime.

It is in this environment that Mikael meets Arthur.

Name: Arthur Sex: Male Age: 8

The setting is Quito, Ecuador. Mikael and his team mates Staffan, Simon & Karen begin the race which they’ve been training months for.

At a rest stop (where equipment is repaired, short naps are taken and meals eaten) Mikael warms up a packet of meatballs (Swedish, what else!). While waiting for the meal to heat up, he senses a presence waiting and watching him from the edge of the jungle.

“It was a muddy battered looking dog. He was standing perfectly still by a red bike box. He seemed to be waiting for something…I had never seen a dog with such presence, such stillness.��

”He was big, and underneath the mud and dirt I thought he was probably a golden colour. Even a distance, I could see that some of the mud was blood: he had bad wounds as well as dirt on him.

But he was so stoical, so dignified, he caught my eye by his very appearance of calm. As I watched, he turned in my direction and padded forwards a few paces. I could see now, that he was looking at me.��

Mikael could see that Arthur was more in need of the meal than he was, so gives it to him. Over meatballs in the Ecuadorian jungle, a friendship is forged. It's synchronicity, as if man and dog knew each other, and were meant to cross paths.

Though obviously starving, Mikael was taken aback at the grace with which Arthur ate he meal. There was no gulping down of food, or growling. Just a calm knowingness and acceptance of what was offered.

Mikael gives little more thought to the of dog he’s given his meal to. His focus is now entirely on completing the next leg of the race. To his, and his team-mates�� surprise, Arthur (yet to be named) tags along and follows the team on their race, refusing to be left behind. Long after they assume he'll tire of them and return to his home, he continues to doggedly follow them (I had to put that in).

“He seemed to be waiting patiently for something, anything or nothing.��

Realising that the stray has now become the unofficial 5th member of their team, Mikael decides to name him. The name needs to be special, to mean something, and to reflect his true character. He names him…Arthur.

”…I thought of the way he carried himself…his stillness and elegance. He was, he is, like a king. A golden king. Like the film. Like King Arthur. This dog was no ordinary dog. He was regal. He was Arthur.��

The race continues, with Arthur alongside. Due to various errors of judgement and injury, Mikael and his team cross the finish line without getting a place. Though they didn't win the race, Mikael has instead found a lifelong friend. He realises that he simply cannot say goodbye and leave Arthur behind in Ecuador, returning home to Sweden without him is unthinkable. And so begins the story of the arduous task of bringing Arthur home to become part of his family.

This is such a lovely story of compassion, courage and determination, of both the human and canine spirit. It shows that winning isn’t everything, but trying your best is. And that listening to your heart is the most important thing of all.

As this year is drawing to a close, to me this story is about how important it is to show kindness to another living being. That a stray dog has a lot of love to give, and could easily become a loving part of your family, if you just let go and take a chance. Something good can happen from unusual situations, and you too, could end up with an Arthur in your life. And it would be all the more special for it.

”I never had the remotest idea or intention of having a dog. I now have a friend whose loyalty and devotion I know I can count on to our dying day. Just am I’m sure Arthur knows he can count on mine.

There will never be enough time to dwell on how lucky I am, but I know I will never forget to be thankful that our adventure has had the happiest of endings.��

Woof, to that! 🐾